What are the stages of learning a word? A learner moves from having no knowledge of a word to full mastery through several stages: Encounter: First seeing or hearing the word. Recognition: Recognizing the word when seen or heard again, but without full understanding. Partial Knowledge: Understanding one meaning in a specific context. Full Knowledge (Acquisition): Understanding multiple meanings, connotations, and being able to use the word correctly and automatically in different contexts.

A learner moves from having no knowledge of a word to full mastery through several stages: • Encounter: First seeing or hearing the word. • Recognition: Recognizing the word when seen or heard again, but without full understanding. • Partial Knowledge: Understanding one meaning in a specific context. • Full Knowledge (Acquisition): Understanding multiple meanings, connotations, and being able to use the word correctly and automatically in different contexts.

Why Do Students Forget Words and How Can Spaced Repetition Help? The "Forgetting Curve," discovered by Hermann Ebbinghaus, shows that we forget new information at an exponential rate. To combat this, **Spaced Repetition** is the most powerful technique. It involves reviewing new vocabulary at increasing intervals (e.g., after 1 day, then 3 days, then 1 week, etc.), which interrupts the forgetting process and moves information from short-term to long-term memory.

The "Forgetting Curve," discovered by Hermann Ebbinghaus, shows that we forget new information at an exponential rate. To combat this, **Spaced Repetition** is the most powerful technique. It involves reviewing new vocabulary at increasing intervals (e.g., after 1 day, then 3 days, then 1 week, etc.), which interrupts the forgetting process and moves information from short-term to long-term memory.

What is the Best Way to Introduce New Vocabulary? Use Visuals: For concrete nouns (e.g., "apple," "car"), use pictures, drawings, or real objects (realia). - **Use Context:** Provide a simple sentence that makes the meaning clear. For the word "exhausted," you might say, "After running for one hour, I was exhausted and needed to sleep." Elicit Meaning: Before giving the definition, try to elicit it from the students. Ask questions like, "In this sentence, do you think 'exhausted' means happy, sad, or very tired?" Check Understanding: Use Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) like "If you are exhausted, do you have a lot of energy?" (Answer should be no).

• Use Visuals: For concrete nouns (e.g., "apple," "car"), use pictures, drawings, or real objects (realia). - **Use Context:** Provide a simple sentence that makes the meaning clear. For the word "exhausted," you might say, "After running for one hour, I was exhausted and needed to sleep." • Elicit Meaning: Before giving the definition, try to elicit it from the students. Ask questions like, "In this sentence, do you think 'exhausted' means happy, sad, or very tired?" • Check Understanding: Use Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) like "If you are exhausted, do you have a lot of energy?" (Answer should be no).

What are Engaging Activities for Vocabulary Practice? Moving beyond simple drills is key for retention. For a wide range of ideas, check out our guide on using games in the ESL classroom . Semantic Mapping (or Mind Maps): Write a topic in the center of the board (e.g., "Travel") and have students brainstorm related words, grouping them into categories like "transportation," "accommodation," and "activities." - **Vocabulary Games:** Games like Pictionary, Charades, or Taboo make practice fun and memorable. - **Storytelling:** Give students a list of 5-10 new words and challenge them to create a short story that uses all of them correctly.

Moving beyond simple drills is key for retention. For a wide range of ideas, check out our guide on using games in the ESL classroom. • Semantic Mapping (or Mind Maps): Write a topic in the center of the board (e.g., "Travel") and have students brainstorm related words, grouping them into categories like "transportation," "accommodation," and "activities." - **Vocabulary Games:** Games like Pictionary, Charades, or Taboo make practice fun and memorable. - **Storytelling:** Give students a list of 5-10 new words and challenge them to create a short story that uses all of them correctly.

What are the Most Effective Strategies for Building ESL Vocabulary?

Teaching Strategies

Published on July 5, 2025

By Thomas

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